Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 13, 2024
A regular meeting of the Belle Plaine Community School District Board of Education was held on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine.
Members Present: Val Coffman, Alicia Jacobi, Rima Johnson, Tylar Gallagher, Andy Neuhaus
Members Absent: None
Administration Present: Chad Straight, Ryan Devereux, Heather Coover
Board Secretary Present: Stacey Kolars
Visitors Present: Interested Patrons
Press Representative: None
The meeting was called to order by President Coffman at 6:30 p.m.
AGENDA
Motion Jacobi second Neuhaus to approve the agenda. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
DELEGATIONS
There were no delegations.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
The consent agenda items were considered. There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to approve the consent agenda items. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. The consent agenda items that were approved are listed below:
- Approval of the minutes of the April 10, 2024 Meeting, the April 23, 2024 Special Meeting and the May 3, 2024 Initial Negotiations Meetings.
- Approval of bills, payroll, financial statements.
- Personnel/Business Items:
- Acceptance of Resignations-Frank Jowitt-STEM Coordinator
PRINCIPAL REPORTS-Secondary Principal, Ryan Devereux and Elementary Principal, Heather Coover gave their respective reports to the board.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Straight gave his report to the board and discussed possible HSAP program sharing with Vinton Shellsburg.
COMMUNICATIONS
Prior to the board meeting there was a tour of the school’s house project. Thank you to the PTO for providing treats and drinks for Olympic Day. Awards Night at the theater was a great success; thank you to Lisa Daily. Congratulations to the Junior High track team for placing first at the SICL meet.
OLD BUSINESS
Action/Discussion on PPEL/SAVE Projects- Discussion took place on current district needs for the buildings over the summer months based on staff surveys and observations. No action was taken on this item.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Approval of the Employment of Personnel – There was motion by Jacobi, second by Neuhaus to approve Brock Flack to assist with the softball program, and Rebecca Green as an elementary special education teacher. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
2. Focus on Education – Frank Jowitt, retiring STEM Coordinator was present to speak about the secondary STEM program and robotics club success.
3. Approval of Agreement with Belle Plaine Education Association – There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve 2024-2025 agreement with the BPEA for a 3.4% increase. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
4. Approval of the Issuance of Teacher and Extracurricular Contracts for 2024-2025 Year -There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to approve the teacher and extra-curricular contracts for an additional contract year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
5. Approval of Agreement with Teamsters Union – There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve the agreement with the Teamsters Union for the 2024-2025 school year in the amount of 4.51% wage increase to include a $0.25 cent per hour increase on the hourly wages and an insurance benefit increase. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
6. Approval of the Issuance of Teamster Contracts for the 2024-2025 Year – There was motion by Johnson, second by Jacobi to approve the issuance of the Teamster contracts for the 2024-2025 year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
7. Approval of Raises/Employee Contracts for Food Service Employees, Supt. Secretary, Transportation Personnel, Food Service Director, Maintenance Director, Business Manager, Activity Director for 2024-2025 Year – There was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to approve a 3.4% increase for these groups for an additional contract year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
8. Approval of Raises/Contracts for Administrators-There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve a 3.4% increase and an additional contract year for the 2024-2025 school year. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
9. Action/Discussion on Firewall/Software Purchase for School District Network – There was motion by Gallagher, second by Jacobi to accept a quote from RTI for a firewall and software purchase for the district’s network in the amount of $27,423.16. It’s possible that a REAP grant would be able to cover the cost for the district. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
10. Action/Discussion on Purchasing a Lawnmower – There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Gallagher to approve the purchase a lawnmower in the amount of 23,788 from Friedman Farm Supply. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
11. Action/Discussion on Registration Dues and Fees for the 2024-2025 Year – There was motion by Gallagher, second by Neuhaus to approve the following fees for the 2024-2025 school year:
- Breakfast-$2.25
- Adult Breakfast-$3.00
- Elementary School Lunch-$3.15
- 7-12 School Lunch-$3.25
- Adult Lunch-$4.85
- Milk-$0.40
- Elementary Registration Fees-$45.00
- Secondary Registration Fees-$50.00
- Elementary Activity Ticket-$40.00
- Secondary Activity Ticket-$45.00
- Adult Activity Ticket-$100
- Secondary Locker/Towel Fee-$25.00
- Driver’s Ed Fee-$350 for resident student; out-of-district student would be charged the cost of the course.
All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
12. Action/Discussion on Branding Purchases – Discussion took place regarding suggestions from staff surveys regarding branding purchases for the district. After discussion, there was motion by Jacobi, second by Gallagher to move forward with obtaining quotes for the following branding suggestions: repainting of gym(s), entrance rugs with logos, logos on outer doors, admissions booths and entrance of the football/track field, logos in cafeteria and library. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried. Superintendent Straight mentioned he would contact graphic company representatives from BSN and possibly other companies to do a “walk-through” with suggestions.
13. Action/Discussion on TLC Positions and Plan – There was motion by Neuhaus, second by Johnson to approve five additional TLC positions in the amount of $1,000 for Data Lead positions. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
There was motion by Gallagher, second by Jacobi to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. All voted, “aye.” Motion carried.
Valerie Coffman, Board President
Stacey Kolars, Board Secretary
Jim Magdefrau 